Dental retainers ensure that all your money and efforts are well spent by keeping your teeth in their aligned position after you’ve completed your braces or aligner treatment. If you fail to clean your retainer, plaque can build up around it, resulting in bad breath, discoloration, and corrosion, which will eventually compromise your oral health.
Brushing your teeth daily is good when wearing retainers, but if they contain plaque, you must learn how to clean them properly. Here’s how to keep your retainers clean for years.
How to Clean Retainers?
Cleaning your retainers can be a hassle when it comes to their maintenance however, the roadmap to achieving clean retainers is not all that complex. It is mandatory for an individual wearing retainers to cater to the upkeep of the dental appliances by using a soft bristle brush to clean the surface and ensure no bacteria from food particles is being formed. Allowing it to soak in a cleaning solution or denture cleanser, additionally contributes to the longevity of a patient’s retainers.
What is Plaque on Retainers?
While retainers offer the solution for the alignment of your teeth, it is important to note that the presence of plaque is quite possible. What is plaque, you may ask? Plaque is a form of milky, odorless paste of bacteria that sits on the lining of your retainers due to the accumulation of hardened food or bacteria stuck on the surface area of your retainers. It is important to be aware of the threats that plaque poses to the oral health and longevity of your retainers.
Why is it important to remove Plaque from Retainers?
The presence of plaque on your retainers can not only cause the bacteria to spread to other areas of the mouth, causing further issues, but the possibility of the retainer cracking or breaking will occur as well.
Effective Methods To Remove Plaque
Here are some pro tips to remove plaque from retainers and keep them clean:
1. Daily Dental Hygiene
When brushing your teeth, try to brush your retainer, if you have fixed retainers, with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-whitening toothpaste. For removable retainers, remove them to brush your teeth to clean areas covered by them, clean your retainer with toothpaste and rinse it properly.
2. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is great for disinfecting and eliminating plaque from your retainer. If you want to safely and thoroughly clean your retainer without using chemicals, baking soda is the right choice.
It has unique properties that can kill bacteria without damaging your retainers. Mix baking soda in lukewarm warm water and create a thick paste, and then brush your retainers with a soft bristles toothbrush exactly as you would your teeth.
3. Use White Vinegar
White vinegar works like a disinfectant that can remove odors and residues. To clean a retainer with vinegar, make a mixture of half white vinegar and half warm water and soak your retainer in the fluid for 20 minutes.
Vinegar has a strong smell, and to get rid of it, gently brush your retainers with toothpaste afterward.
4. Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash is designed to fight against plaque, bacteria, and other residues in the mouth. In case you don’t have other options available, you can also use mouthwash to clean your retainer.
If you don’t have any other options available, you can try dipping a retainer in non-alcoholic mouthwash for 2-3 minutes. Afterward, rinse it with cold water and gently brush it with a soft toothbrush.
5. Retainer Cleaners
Retainer cleaners available on the market are suitable for people who don’t have time to create their own cleaning solutions and the cleaners are also very affordable. Just follow the directions on the packaging to clean your retainer.
Replace as Needed
If you continue to wear your old retainer for a long time, it may lose its proper shape and become uncomfortable. With time, the plastic material of the retainer will degrade and require replacement.
Generally, retainers should be replaced every six months to three years, depending on how much they have been used. If you take good care of them, retainers can last for up to five or ten years.
Retainer Maintenance Tips:
When cleaning your retainer, there are certain things you should avoid to prevent any damage or deterioration. Here are a few things you should avoid when cleaning your retainer:
Don’t Use Disinfectant Wipes: Avoid using disinfectant wipes to clean your retainer. These wipes may claim to kill bacteria, but they are not effective against the specific bacteria found on your retainer.
Don’t Use Colored Mouthwash: Avoid using colored mouthwash to clean your retainer because it can potentially stain the plastic of your retainer. Therefore, it’s best not to soak your retainer in colored mouthwash to prevent discoloration.
Keep it in Its Case: Always store your retainer in its case and avoid leaving it out or wrapping it in a tissue or napkin to prevent it from drying out.
Have Your Oral Problems Bite The Dust With Orthodontic Experts!
Making sure your retainer is clean should be a part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth. To keep it clean, simply brush your retainer gently with warm water once a day. Occasionally, you can try baking soda, vinegar, or retainer cleaners for a more thorough cleaning.
It’s also a good idea to clean your retainer after every meal to prevent the buildup of food particles, plaque, and bacteria. If you’re unsure about how to clean a heavily plagued or damaged retainer, it’s best to contact your dentist or orthodontist for guidance. They can also provide you with a new retainer if needed.
For expert orthodontic treatments and comprehensive care, consider contacting Orthodontic Experts. We are a leader in providing different orthodontic treatments and can assist you with all your orthodontic needs. Call us today to schedule a no-cost consultation.
